National Museum of African American History and Culture

The museum’s concourse level documents slavery in the US from the slave trade to emancipation with moving exhibits including artifacts such as Harriet Tubman’s personal hymnal and a shawl gifted to her by Queen Victoria. Other floors delve into segregation and run through to the present day, telling stories of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and President Barack Obama as they relate to African American culture. The Community and Culture galleries showcase collective contributions to athletics, the military, and more. Also here, visitors can explore family histories through digital resources and get help conducting genealogical research and oral history interviews.

Museum entry requires a free timed-entry pass. Same-day and advance passes are available online, and some walk-up passes are distributed after 1pm on weekdays. Thousands flock to the museum daily, making it one of the most-visited Smithsonian institutions, and passes sell out quickly—plan ahead.

• While the museum is free to enter, timed-entry passes are required.

• Head to the third-floor observatory for stellar views of the Washington Monument and the city.

• The on-site Sweet Home Café offers traditional African American cuisine from four US regions.

• Tripods, selfie sticks, food, and drink are not permitted in the museum.

• The museum is fully accessible. Wheelchair rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and open captioning is included in all exhibition videos.

The museum is the latest addition to the Smithsonian’s collection on the National Mall. Due to the lack of nearby parking, the best way to arrive is by foot, bus, or Metro. The nearest Metro stops are Federal Triangle and Smithsonian on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines. The museum is also a stop on many hop-on, hop-off tours of Washington D.C.

The museum is open from 10am to 5:30pm every day of the year except December 25.

Designed by Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye, the museum takes inspiration from Yoruba art of West Africa as well as architectural roots of the African diaspora of America. There are more than 85,000 square feet (7,897 square meters) of gallery space thoughtfully and beautifully displaying thousands of artifacts. Its history galleries in particular are a must-see.

Many exhibits at the National Museum of African American History and Culture honor the culture of African Americans and the African diaspora. Here, you’ll find exhibits about the history of the transatlantic slave trade, the Civil Rights Movement, and African American contributions to art and sports in the US.

Yes, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has a full calendar of special events and educational programs. You can attend lectures, live performances, film screenings, panel discussions, film festivals, and even yoga classes. See the museum’s online calendar for a full list of events.

Most people spend at least several hours visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum itself notes that touring the history galleries takes about two hours and requires about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) of walking. Prepare and budget your time to see the full museum.

Yes, with limits. The National Museum of African American History and Culture permits still and video photography for private use. Photography of fine art, however, is prohibited. Tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks also are prohibited. The museum provides a mobile app with images from the exhibitions and collections.

Yes, there are dining options at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. You can grab a bite to eat at Sweet Home Café, which features traditional African American fare from the agricultural South such as roasted and fried chicken, collard greens, and baked sweet potatoes, and cornbread.

Yes, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has fully accessible facilities, including entrances, wheelchair ramps, elevators, and restrooms. Guests with limited mobility can borrow manual wheelchairs to navigate the History Galleries, which consist of more than one mile (1.6 kilometers) of ramps.